Hello Friends,
Hopefully you have been able to enjoy the woods recently with the amazing this Autumn colours we have had.
There has been quite a lot going on both in the woods and behind the scenes over the last few months.
We have also made some contacts with some real experts, of which more later.
Work Parties
In the woods we have had two very successful work parties in October and November clearing Rhododendron in Cannon Hill South. Because of the massive support we have had on these days, we have expanded the project with the aim of opening up a Beech walk the length of Uddens Drive (South of the A31).
We will be continuing this work at our Christmas work party this Sunday (7th Dec).
Feel free to bring along some Christmas treats (I particularly like mince pies).
We will have sausages and rolls at lunchtime and endless supply hot drinks.
All welcome, tools and gloves supplied.
The Forestry Commission have changed their bonfire guidelines, so unless anyone knows of a water bowser going begging, we will need to stop feeding the fire at midday as it needs to be out before we leave site now.
Anything cut after then can be stacked for next time.
Tree Planting with the Forestry Commission
Date for your diary!
The FC have confirmed that they would like to hold a tree planting event with us in January (Sun 18th).
We will be planting a mix of native trees supplied by the FC in Cannon Hill North.
This will be a great opportunity to work with the FC on a project that really will be great for wildlife and the look of the woods.
Membership Offer
Still not joined as a “Friend” of the woods? You still have time to win a £50 La Fosse at Cranborne Voucher.
Until the end of the month, anyone joining will be entered in the draw.
We have not had as many people sign up as we would have liked, so you have a pretty good chance of winning!
We only ask for a one off donation of your choosing (we have had from £1 to £200). It’s entirely up to you!
The easiest way is to sign up online here
Bat Project
On the subject of new members, we are delighted to welcome Richard & Beatrice Dopita from the Dorset Mammal Group & River Allen Bat Roost. They are authorised to handle bats and will be working with us to install and monitor bat boxes.
They have already sought and received approval from the Forestry Commission for the project, will be donating some bat boxes and have arranged for Colehill Scout Group to make us 4 boxes.
This is an amazing start to this project and we are indebted to Beatrice, Dopita and the Scouts for their generous help.
The River Allen Bat Roost is one of the Green Token Community Matters Charities in Waitrose Wimborne during December. Please give it your support!
Woodland History
Our longer term project to document the history of the woodland has also received some expert input recently.
The Dorset history specialist and author Roger Guttridge has kindly shared some interesting local smuggling stories with us, as well as putting us in touch with Peter Russell of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust.
Peter has already given us some fascinating detail and photographs of the railway and its links to Uddens.
Thank you to Roger and Peter and all those who have been in touch via the website and email, with stories about the railway and wartime.
I hope to add it all to the website history page sometime this winter.
If anyone has any stories or pictures we can scan, we would love to have them.
Peter is particularly interested in any details of the abattoir and sidings at Uddens. We will forward on anything you can tell us.
Notice Boards
Our project to place information boards and maps at the entrances to the woods is still progressing and we hope to have one in place before too long.
The boards are being designed by Janet & Lin (2 of our trustees) with support from the Forestry Commission and generous funding from an East Dorset District Council Grant.
Season’s Greetings
The Friends of Uddens & Cannon Hill Woodlands
[email protected]
Hopefully you have been able to enjoy the woods recently with the amazing this Autumn colours we have had.
There has been quite a lot going on both in the woods and behind the scenes over the last few months.
We have also made some contacts with some real experts, of which more later.
Work Parties
In the woods we have had two very successful work parties in October and November clearing Rhododendron in Cannon Hill South. Because of the massive support we have had on these days, we have expanded the project with the aim of opening up a Beech walk the length of Uddens Drive (South of the A31).
We will be continuing this work at our Christmas work party this Sunday (7th Dec).
Feel free to bring along some Christmas treats (I particularly like mince pies).
We will have sausages and rolls at lunchtime and endless supply hot drinks.
All welcome, tools and gloves supplied.
The Forestry Commission have changed their bonfire guidelines, so unless anyone knows of a water bowser going begging, we will need to stop feeding the fire at midday as it needs to be out before we leave site now.
Anything cut after then can be stacked for next time.
Tree Planting with the Forestry Commission
Date for your diary!
The FC have confirmed that they would like to hold a tree planting event with us in January (Sun 18th).
We will be planting a mix of native trees supplied by the FC in Cannon Hill North.
This will be a great opportunity to work with the FC on a project that really will be great for wildlife and the look of the woods.
Membership Offer
Still not joined as a “Friend” of the woods? You still have time to win a £50 La Fosse at Cranborne Voucher.
Until the end of the month, anyone joining will be entered in the draw.
We have not had as many people sign up as we would have liked, so you have a pretty good chance of winning!
We only ask for a one off donation of your choosing (we have had from £1 to £200). It’s entirely up to you!
The easiest way is to sign up online here
Bat Project
On the subject of new members, we are delighted to welcome Richard & Beatrice Dopita from the Dorset Mammal Group & River Allen Bat Roost. They are authorised to handle bats and will be working with us to install and monitor bat boxes.
They have already sought and received approval from the Forestry Commission for the project, will be donating some bat boxes and have arranged for Colehill Scout Group to make us 4 boxes.
This is an amazing start to this project and we are indebted to Beatrice, Dopita and the Scouts for their generous help.
The River Allen Bat Roost is one of the Green Token Community Matters Charities in Waitrose Wimborne during December. Please give it your support!
Woodland History
Our longer term project to document the history of the woodland has also received some expert input recently.
The Dorset history specialist and author Roger Guttridge has kindly shared some interesting local smuggling stories with us, as well as putting us in touch with Peter Russell of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust.
Peter has already given us some fascinating detail and photographs of the railway and its links to Uddens.
Thank you to Roger and Peter and all those who have been in touch via the website and email, with stories about the railway and wartime.
I hope to add it all to the website history page sometime this winter.
If anyone has any stories or pictures we can scan, we would love to have them.
Peter is particularly interested in any details of the abattoir and sidings at Uddens. We will forward on anything you can tell us.
Notice Boards
Our project to place information boards and maps at the entrances to the woods is still progressing and we hope to have one in place before too long.
The boards are being designed by Janet & Lin (2 of our trustees) with support from the Forestry Commission and generous funding from an East Dorset District Council Grant.
Season’s Greetings
The Friends of Uddens & Cannon Hill Woodlands
[email protected]
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